Chesterfield part company with manager amid allegations of misconduct

Chesterfield have decided to part company with their manager James Rowe amid allegations of misconduct of which are yet to be revealed.

The 39-year-old was suspended on the 24th of January pending an investigation into allegations of misconduct.

Rowe exits after 14 months in charge and on a sour note with the fanbase still unsure as to why and if two weeks of note knowing if he’d remain in charge of the promotion battle.

CLUB STATEMENT:

Chesterfield Football Club and James Rowe have today come to an agreement that his position as manager will terminate with immediate effect by mutual consent.

The club would like to thank James for his achievements during his tenure and wishes him well for the future.

– STATEMENT ENDS –

No details about the allegations against Rowe have been officially revealed by the club and after being contacted, Derbyshire Police haven’t been able to reveal what happened or if they are investigating the matter.

Rowe joined in November 2020 after guiding Gloucester City to the top of the National League North, then took the Spireites from the National League relegation zone to the playoffs last season.

When he was suspended by the club, Chesterfield were top of the table at the halfway stage of the campaign.

First-team coach Danny Webb will be in charge again, just as he was at Eastleigh, for Saturday’s home match against Dagenham and Redbridge.

Caretaker Danny Webb said in his press conference that he wants Chesterfield to return to playing ‘free-flowing football’ against Dagenham and Redbridge on Saturday.

“One thing I have learned since being here is that Chesterfield fans want to be entertained, like probably at most football clubs,” Webb said.

“I think tomorrow is a good chance to try and entertain them and try and play some real good football whilst also trying to win the game. We will give it a good go to try and do that.

“I think a lot of performances, even the ones we have won and drawn, have not been classics but yet we have managed to stay second in the league. That is a positive, that the performances have not been mindblowing, and yet we are still in a shout of going top tomorrow.

“I, for as long as I am doing it, would like to entertain the supporters. Last week was a challenge for all of us just to get through that game. Tomorrow hopefully we can get back to that free-flowing football.”

Seems like Rowe has lost the absolute plot.

🗣 I’ll bite your fucking nose off is an interesting quote of his , personally I prefer the 18 yard entries one. pic.twitter.com/dAaEb6Xmzd

— Gloucester City Fans (@GlosCityFans) January 24, 2022

Asked by Derbyshire Times whether bringing in striker Joe Quigley has meant a change in style, Webb responded: “I don’t think so. People looking on might suggest that when a team has a big target man whether it be Quigley, Denton or Payne that sometimes that is an option to go to and I suppose people might say that sometimes if players see that option it is an easy go to of ‘let’s get it up to the big man’.

“I think he (Quigley) has got more to his game than just that.

“I think he has worked his socks off since he has been here and he is a great lad.

“He is a good player an I bet he can’t wait to get off the mark.”

On Dagenham, who are 9th, Webb added: “We have got to be on our game, keep our discipline, defend resolutely and limit the risks we take while playing that free-flowing football and getting the supporters off their seat.

“They have got some good attacking options and Daryl McMahon is a good manager who knows his ways around this league very well.”

“I have been asked to do something from day-to-day and I have been happy to help the club out,” Webb said on continuing with the role.

“In terms of the situation, there is no answer I can give you at the moment.

“I have just been trying to hold the fort best I can day-to-day.

“The supporters want some clarity but I think it is very hard to give that at the moment for obvious reasons.

“Is it a normal, easy situation for me and the others to be in? No. Have we cracked on and given it our absolute best shot for the club and supporters? 100 per cent, yes. I can only say we will continue to do that and I will continue to do that from day-to-day while the club goes through processes and decides what they want to do going forward. I am happy to hold the fort until maybe I return to my normal role.”

He added: “It has been a tough time for everyone, an unusual time for everyone.”

Webb said to Derbyshire Times that there have been no talks about him continuing the role until the end of the season.

He explained: “I have had no contact with the board regarding ins and outs. I don’t think that was a massive priority for them, at the moment. As I am sure everyone would understand, there are probably bigger things going on and bigger questions that people would like answering, especially supporters, and rightly so.

“As much as I am stepping up to the plate and being asked to do a role I did not sort of sign up for, I am happy to do so, but that is as far as it goes at the moment with taking training and trying to set the boys up best I can to help us win a game of football.”

Twitter users reacted as Chesterfield part company with their manager amid allegations of misconduct…

pic.twitter.com/IgT7b59u6s

— luke (@Luke_s18) February 4, 2022

@YogiOldfield: He had everything there to be one of the best managers in my life time and whatever has happened to lead to this point we’ll never know what could have been.

@eclecticpizzaco: Thank you James. Your tenure was the best ever at this club for a manager, almost 60% win record. For all the conspiracy theorists, the statement says “mutual consent” If the club had punted him and found him guilty, they wouldn’t be thanking him and wishing the best.

@CfcCrookes: So annoyed and sad all at the same time. He has thrown a massive opportunity to go far as a manager away and for us to have the best chance in years to get promotion. I still believe in the squad and Webby though

@Wheelie15: Cheers for everything James but your a massive prick and don’t come back to my town again

@spireriteblue39: Well can’t say this wasn’t expected. Whole thing from the start didn’t feel right. James Rowe has been amazing, has done wonders getting our club back on keel and for that, every Spireite thanks you. So sorry that we must part ways like this. Good luck and all the best.

@lightlucie: Can’t say I’m disappointed JR brought chesterfield fans so much joy and he did an amazing job on bringing the team back to where they belong, just hope what he has done isn’t too serious, onwards and upwards now for the club and we need to back the lads

@Sifdog88: Thanks for all you’ve done JR. You’ve played a massive part in reconnecting the town to its club and for that you should be proud, just sorry it ended like this

@ORodge20: Thankyou for connecting us all back with the club. It was the start of an incredible journey, such a shame

@ColinM1956: A shame it has come to this but the club has to do what’s appropriate and credit to them for doing so. On the surface a fine young manager.

@JT_Spire: Thank you to the club for acting decisively with integrity, speed and morality. We have longed for an ownership and board like this in the last decade so credit where it’s due. Managers come and go. We move on.

@RobiMurf: I wonder what Chelsea think about this? I reckon I can guess – sweet FA.

@DextersDesciple: Please don’t blame the trust. It’s just like any business, if you do something that requires punishment with the possibility of termination. They won’t have done this without a good reason after all he’s done. We just have to move forward now

@matthewkelcey: Very sad day for the club, not condoning what he’s done but what he’s done for the club is remarkable!

@frankie_wigley: Got us going in the right direction and who knows where we could have got to, let’s hope we can finish the job what James Rowe started

@rhodesy4: Don’t want individuals around my club like JR. Good riddance.